Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9X13 pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, beat the brown sugar and the next 4 ingredients (through baking soda) until thoroughly combined. Mix in the flour, ground pecans and oats until crumbly. Scoop out 1 cup and set aside. Place the remaining crumbs into your prepared pan and press down firmly to coat the bottom.

Toss the apples in a large bowl with the salt and cinnamon. Arrange them over the crust.

Drizzle the warm homemade caramel over the top and then sprinkle with the remaining crumbs you set aside.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until bubbly and the apples are just tender. Remove and let cool until they are just warm to the touch. Cut into squares. Try and let the bars rest until the caramel has set before serving.

Mix all of the above ingredients into a 2 quart saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until it reaches soft-ball stage (230-234 degrees). Remove and gently pour your 1 cup over the apple mixture.

This recipes makes more than you will use so pour the rest into a 8X8 pan lined with foil and let cool. Cut into squares and you have your own homemade caramel squares!

Hi Joe, thanks for your comment on my blog.I am drolling as I type this comment. Love caramel, apple, oats and pecan combination. I wish someone would bake and gift me this. We have a small bakery near our house. They sell similar kind of bars but with walnuts and apricots.$2.30 a bar. A bit pricey, but still they are once a month kind of indulgence for me. I will definitely try your recipe.Love your blog!

After all your apple talk lately, I absolutely HAD to try these! They are in the oven right now, and smell divine! I cheated a bit and used a jar of caramel sauce- hopefully the results will taste as good as homemade.

After all your apple talk this week, I couldn't wait to try these! They're in the oven right now, and smell divine. I cheated a bit and used a jar of caramel sauce- hopefully they'll taste as good as homemade.

Also, the buttery apple cake is on tap for tomorrow. Everyone at work is going to love me! (or complain about me "fattening them up for winter")

Joe, I made these last night and I am honestly having a hard time staying away from them. I had to take half the pan to work so I wouldn't eat too many myself. Thank you for sharing this with me. I think it is better than apple pie.

Joe, I made these today and they are delicious! I didn't have the time to make the homemade caramel so I subbed caramel apple dip. I will definitely take the time to make caramels the next time because they look so good by themselves so I can only imagine what they add to the apple bars.

Would you mind if I added them to my blog? Of course I will be giving you the proper credit for them!